flex1

Hi all,

For about 6 months I have been actively persuing investors to provide me business loans to open a boutique ***undisclosed canadian location****. I have come up with a pretty substantial line of credit, as well as some solid backing from familymembers totalling to about $150,000, which I feel is a solid start. Me and my investment partner have located a location already and are in the midst of entering a lease agreement scheduled for April 2006/May 2006.

I have about 5 years retail experience under my belt, and know a lot about most of the management and ins and outs of running an actual store (employees, inventory, sales). However the part that I am not completely sure about is the "buying" aspect. I need help on the steps of what is the most cost effective way of using my budget to work for me. How should I effectively allocate my line of credit? I plan on having a beginning inventory of approximately $100,000 give or take for the first season, planned for late summer 2006.

I am fairly focused on what brands I want to carry, and will be focusing a lot more underground streetwear labels that have been obsolete from my planned target market.

However in the short period of time that I have assembled my business plan I have been unable to make any tradeshows as of late and have missed the fall 2006 season. Because of this is there still an effective way of getting stock for my expected opening?

What is the best method payment, shipment etc.? I have knowledge in regards to COD, paid on delivery etc. Is there any other effective methods? I understand that a seasons inventory must be flipped in order to make way for new inventory. Should I allocate the shipment of my incoming stock in stagger, so not to hold an entire season on my line of credit? Eventually I plan on carrying larger inventory, and therefore will require more money to be reinvested. Please explain the process that is needed to turn my $100,000 inventory into more if successful.

I apologize for the rambling, I need as much help as possible and any advice/suggestions is greatly appreciated.

Chimpanjesus,

What is the name of your brand of clothing? Do you have any links or websites?

rogan

tsubi

Dropped by yesterday. Looks great inside, but not much at all. I wonder how much rent is, because I don't see the store having longevity. Prices are very high. Levi's x alife for 501 come one, now? Sure the store it looks great in terms of a retail space, but in terms of a retail store that actually sells how much are they actually racking in? I can't see it being that much. imo

btw new seasons shoes look off the chains.

Yes, please explain the substandards of PRPS, this should be interesting. You may have an argument in regards to some of their washed denim, however you cannot deny that their selvedge denim is one of the best in the business. And even in regards to their non selvedge, they are still great japanese quality.

I think what he is trying to get at is that APC's are good jeans, but they are not great. It is true you are getting what you pay for. APC jeans are not dipped as many times as other brands for example sugarcane, that is the main reason for why the whiskers and honeycombs aren't as distinct. They are still great selvege jeans for the price, and probably the best bang for your buck, but they are nowhere near the quality of sugarcane. just my opinion.

I would like to hear the opinions of Serge and ring ring on the matter to see their perspectives.

Does anyone have an exact opening day? I don't want to make the long drive out if its not officially open yet? Any help is much appreciated.

When does Alife open to the public?

The selvage line looks beautiful on those. Looks similar to an apc english cut. Any word on the quality and wear of the actual denim? Where can you buy those?

The distressed jeans are a little overly done, but their selvage pieces are by far one of the best jeans in the market now a days imo.

Corpus makes bad ass jeans as well...too bad they don't make selvage

I bought the Richard Kidd hoody for a grip of nearly 500 canadian after tax. It is beautiful though, it is soft as butter as it is double lined, amazing details ex silver zipper and feather zip, distressing, huge graphic. The one in their window is made with real porcupine needles, price tag on it is an insane $1200 canadian.

I also have the purple one wash selvage. Beatiful jeans. So much attention to detail, eventhough nobody will notice it. ( camo liner, black rivets, copper, brass and purple colored buttons, and stitch details) They are my favorite pair of jeans at the moment, I copped them for 225 at goods in seattle. Great fitting if you prefer something a little more relaxed.

I think in the whole scheme of things retail will be heading towards this direction. Nomad along with Goods seattle are putting it down for streetwear stores. Very similar feel when going into Goods. You would think it's a target skate store but they carry great labels such as wings&horns, apc, corpus, kim jones umbro.

People will soon give up their diesel jeans and mainstream tshirt, and put there money towards something that is less accessible like corpus, apc etc. Why pay $350 for diesel jeans that everyone and their mom has, when you can pick up a bad ass pair of corpus for a fraction.

prps (selvage only)

corpus denim

a.p.c

I also like for distressed denim:

tsubi

rogan

prps one wash selvage

plane white shirt

white richard kidd hoody

visvim fbt or adidas rod laver

Is it open yet? What is the expected date, it seems as if it is taking forever.

Im a fan, I they look similar to these

http://www.aloharag.com/highseas/assets/images/english/store/men/mm/shoes/37zj001blk/37zj001blk.htm

.....well they actually look damn near identical (except for midsole) and cheaper too =)

Please hook me up if possible.

Johninger.....I actually believe you work for them, seems rather convenient that they just launched their website yesterday and now you are one here preaching over them.....No harm I guess, They do look pretty dope, not too sure about the back pocket design though.

Definetely check the outdoor day weekend market. It is absolutely huge, you will find the sickest selvage denim ever. You can find beatiful jeans that any denimnerd would kill for, for less than 30 usd.

Also go to the island of Koh Pagnan (spelling) for the full moon party. It is the largest outdoor party in the world. Mad Fun!!!!

Oh ya and watch out for the lady boys..

does surrender make jeans in a 34 length. I would love to have a pair but by the looks of it on grand they only make them in approximately 31 length. I would need a size 32 waist and 34 length in the black. Any help is much appreciated.

they're Tsubi

vancouver is definetely dope, Richard Kidd, Livestock, Headquaters and soon to be Alife

Do tsubi's run fairly true to size. I was most interested in the factory cut. What is the typical length do they make both 32 and 34 length?

Levi's (big E only, they started it all, and everyone has copied or are copying them)

45rpm (cuz they are just plain badass jeans)

prps (selvage only, great jeans, nice details, hefty price tag)

blue blood (selvage only dry goods)

rogan (original cut only....for being innovative, and for being the best alternative to a five pocket selvage jean )

tsubi ( they have really nice detailing, sometimes overboard, but the factory worn jeans are beautiful. Great non selvage pre distressed denim )